POSTED | July 16, 2019 - Rev. Gordon Williams
Why do I need to Speak in Tongues?
Tongues is God's Communication System
The one question that keeps turning up is what a young woman asked me at a recent meeting: “Why is it necessary to speak in tongues?” My first words were, “Because it is God’s Communication System (Mk. 16:17; 1 Cor. 12:10). The one problem with this gift is that it is called/translated as “tongues” when it should be “other national languages”. "Tongues" is an outdated name.
We would have the same problem today if we continued to use the words “horseless carriage” instead or “car” or “automobile”. Could you imagine the look on the face of a car salesman if you said to him, “I would like to purchase a horseless carriage?” This is the same problem when the archaic word, "tongues" (gift of the Holy Spirit) is used today.
Israel didn’t like it when God spoke to them at Mount Sinai. They were afraid and trembled, complaining to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will hear; but let not God speak to us lest we die” (Ex. 20:19). The Gift of tongues-languages is one of the 7,111 real languages spoken in the world today. By means of them, God is able to give messages for everyone around the world in their native languages by using another person who doesn't normally speak their language.
God's amazing "gift of tongues" gives us control over our own tongue, which is the most uncontrollable organ in our bodies – “no human being can tame”, “a restless evil , and "full of deadly poison” (Jas. 3:8). But the Holy Spirit can tame our tongues so we can deliver messages to people from Jesus. Spoken tongues can be accurately translated by people who normally speak the language or who have the “Gift of Interpretation of languages” (1 Cor. 12:10).
Unknowingly, while preaching in a church in Florida, I was told that my “tongues language was Portuguese”. This resulted in tremendous response of people receiving our ministry of “Signs, Wonders and Miracles” very similar to what happened on the first day of Pentecost. When the Holy Spirit came upon them, 3,000 people heard the disciples speaking in new languages that they had never learned before. The Gift of other "New Languages" is the “initial evidence of receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4).
When people say that they do not want the "Baptism of the Holy Spirit" with the evidence of speaking in a new language, they are really saying that they do not want Jesus to be their Saviour and Lord God. This results in a group in a church whom Paul describes as “idiotes; idiotai” (1 Cor. 14:23–24) or “ungifted or outsiders" who are people who are neither full-fledged believers or unbelievers.
When a person prays with their Holy Spirit given language, the Holy Spirit is able to given a person daily guidance (Jn. 16:8–15; Eph. 6:18; Rev. 2:7,11,17,20; 3:6,13,22). Without the continual use of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit (Rm. 12:6–8; 1 Cor. 12:8–10) our church services become a form of entertainment and not worship services. As a result, many people go home with a feeling of being defeated, disillusioned and/or sick.
Paul tells us that, “He who speaks in a tongue (Holy Spirit given language) edifies himself” (1 Cor. 14:4) which means that he/she who prays with their given language will receive healing from the inside out. Paul also encourages us, “Pray at all times in the Spirit (languages), with all perseverance and supplication.” When we do not learn to pray with our natural language, our Holy Spirit given language, we do not receive healing. When we repent and receive forgiveness, Jesus becomes our Saviour. And when we receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, Jesus becomes our Lord and God.
On December 27, 2015, I was a guest on the Richard Syrett Show. “The Paranormal Show” In Toronto ON, in order to discuss “Deliverance Ministry” and introduce our newest book, “Victory Over the Kingdom of Darkness”. Since then we have been receiving calls from all over Canada and the US asking questions and seeking help. A man from Ottawa, ON, listened to the radio program I was interviewed in for my latest book, and wrote me a letter: "I’m enduring what appears to be an intense satanic attack. Among the problems are my limbs at a time being where I'm forced to move against my will with unwanted sexual activity, bad dreams nightly and frequent tormenting nightmares. I have sought prayer and counselling from many sources for this problem, but it continues. I thank God for giving me the grace to get through it, but I would very much like it to end.”
I phoned him and explained that Jesus could help. I found out he had exposed himself to a counterfeit church that cannot tell the difference between the work of the Holy Spirit and demons. First, I explained that he could be set free by receiving the "Baptism and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit" with the initial proof of the “Gift of speaking in a tongues-language” (Acts 2:4) and with the “signs following” (Mk. 16:17–18). We prayed together and he received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with Jesus's proof of a new language he had never learned before.
We all need to have our own personal “Day of Pentecost” (Acts 2:4), regardless of age, children or adults (Gal. 2:28). The initial evidence of the “signs following” (Mk. 16:17–18) proves we are authentic believers with ministries confirmed by the “signs following”.
I recently prayed for a man who had been subjected to bouts of unwanted, uncontrollable actions and nightmares. First, I cast out the demons and sent them to the “Abyss” (Lk. 8:31). Next, we prayed together and he received forgiveness for his sin (Salvation) and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues.
I asked him, “What kind of a church have you been going to?” He said, “They all pray in tongues at the same time for 15 or 20 minutes or more.” I explained that was wrong and out of order because Paul said that there was supposed to be "only two or at most three, and each in turn and someone interpret. But if there is no one to interpret let each of them keep silent” (1 Cor. 14:27–28). Paul further warns, “If therefore, the whole church assembles and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad?” In other words, that’s not worship. It is likely that is where you got possessed. Stay away from any church, like the one you have been going to, that does not follow Paul’s instructions. He asked me, “Can you recommend one and I sent him the name of the pastor and church. There are many churches where people, instead of receiving the Holy Spirit are harassed and possessed with demons. Then I sent him a copy of our newest book, "Victory over the Kingdom of Darkness",to help him along with his understanding of spiritual warfare.
Rev. Gordon Williams
